3.19.2011

JUDGMENT DAY, MAY 21, 2011? - HAROLD CAMPING & The UNTOLD STORY

It was December, 999 AD, and a great panic was spreading throughout Europe that the end of the world was less than a month away. Predictions of the end had surfaced throughout the first millennium, but as the sun went down New Year’s Eve, the millennial frenzy reached new heights. Possessions were given to the churches, debts were forgiven, prisoners freed, merchants refused payments for goods, and the churches swarmed with people confessing their sins. Many of the sick begged to be placed outdoors to see Christ’s descent from heaven. Pope Sylvester II held a mid-night mass at St. Peter’s in Rome, the supposed last one ever to occur on earth, and in the moments before midnight, as the church bells sounded, enemies embraced each other with the kiss of peace. As the moments into the new millennium transpired, nothing happened.The aftermath left behind a wake of disillusionment, especially when churches refused to return people’s possessions.

Wild eschatological interpretations and predictions of Christ’s return have always been a problem since Christ’s first coming—this is nothing new. But we seem to be living in a time when the consciousness of the end of the world not only grips the community of faith, but also the world at large. Political and economic chaos characterizes news reports. In the last ten years, a powerful earthquake has struck each year killing thousands, the most recent in Japan leaving us in horror as we watch the footage. On people’s minds is the question as to whether these things mark the end of the world. We are told the Mayan Calendar itself predicts a 2012 apocalypse; and Hollywood, capitalizing on this fear, recently debuted “2012”, a movie depicting the awful destruction to be unleashed at the end of the world.

I live in the town of Lynden, WA. On many of the major roadways, even into Vancouver, B.C., are signs and billboards warning that Judgment Day will happen on May 21, 2011. This prediction is made by Harold Camping, the co-founder of Family Radio, Inc.My initial response was to laugh off the prediction in astonishment, not only because the Bible condemns such predictions, but because Camping already did this, and got it wrong. Who would possibly believe him? But after receiving mailings in support of Camping’s prediction that went out to every home in Lynden, and knowing the fearful response of many Christians, a response is warranted.

In this first column, I outline some of the untold history that informs Camping’s behavior. My goal is not only to show why Camping’s prediction is wrong, but also to have us think through the consequences of such predictions. In the second column, I will attempt to answer the following questions: Why are predictions of the end world dangerous?What does Christ say specifically about his return? How is the church to be prepared for Christ’s return?The Lord has not been silent about these issues, and listening to the voice of Jesus Christ alone is the best remedy to keeping us from ungodly fear.

Remembering Harold Camping’s Ominous History

Harold Egbert Camping was born July 19, 1921 in Boulder, CO. His family later relocated to the Bay Area in California and became members of the Alameda Bible Fellowship (CRC). After World War II, Camping founded his own construction company, later to sell the company and join in a collaborative effort to purchase Family Stations, Inc.—a California religious based broadcasting network. Following a series of business deals and a mounting multi-million dollar surplus, Camping was able to expand Family Radio throughout the United States, also buying time on foreign stations around the world, translating his teaching into over thirty foreign languages. In 1961 Camping started the Open Forum, a weeknight call-in program devoted to answering questions about the Bible. Camping soon gained a Reformed voice over radio that was widely influential in the Christian world.Reformed believers, excited that the doctrines of grace and hymns could actually be heard on a radio station, sent in thousands of dollars to support the efforts of Camping. Many people who had never heard of Calvinism and the Reformed doctrines were brought to faith in Christ through the teachings of Family Radio.

Camping was also involved in the Alameda CRC as an elder and later an adult Sunday school teacher. On a given Sunday morning, Camping’s Sunday school class drew almost half of the attendees of the Alameda CRC. The problems began, however, sometime before 1988 when Camping began to advance the idea that one could know from the Bible when Christ would return. When challenged that “no man knows the day nor the hour”, Camping was known for responding, “yes, but we can know the month and the year.”[1] In 1992 Camping self-published his controversial book “1994?”, in which he suggested the possibility that Christ would return sometime between September 15th and 27th of that year, dates corresponding to the Feast of Tabernacles.[2] Camping would soon, unashamedly, predict September 6, 1994 as the date of Christ’s return.

When Camping’s first prediction failed, claiming miscalculation, he then began to reinvent his scheme with the idea that God ended the church age. “Sometime earlier” wrote Camping, “God was finished using the churches to represent the kingdom of God.”[3] In his book “We Are Almost There!” we find that Camping chose the date of May 21, 1988 for the end of the church age.[4] Why this particular date? In an obscure time scheme combined with strange mathematical formulas, Camping was able to secure this date as the end of the church age. The common answer heard over the Open Forum was that around thirty-five years ago God began to open the true believer’s understanding to know the entire timeline of history—a justification based on an obscure interpretation of Eccles. 8:5, and other detailed and often confusing studies in numerology.

What Harold Camping conveniently chose not to reveal is that May of 1988, reputedly, was the month the Alameda CRC began censuring Camping from teaching the adult Sunday school class.[5] Though, according to bulletin records, the official announcement of the reorganization of the Sunday school class without Camping as the teacher was made public in the Sunday bulletin on June 5, 1988, the controversy climaxed in the weeks prior to this date, on or around the May 21 date. After a summer of conflict, church visitors were sent to assess the situation and turmoil in the congregation, and supported the Consistory’s decision to deny Camping the privilege of teaching. The official date the elders took over the adult Sunday school class was September 11, 1988.

The whole controversy that spanned Camping’s censure and departure from the church was roughly from May to September, 1988. Drawing a preliminary conclusion, is it really a coincidence that the period Camping’s teaching controversy broke open in the church coincides with the “month and year”, if not the exact date, that Camping would later declare the church age ended? Is it not the least bit suspect that Camping would later declare that the Holy Spirit was removed from the church beginning on May 21, 1988, the very same period Camping himself was removed from teaching “in” the church? And is it not alarming that Camping now “outside” of the church would declare, soon after his own departure, that anyone still identified with any church is now under the judgment of God? In legal terms, I think it’s safe to say we have motive.

Pride and bitterness had so overcome Camping that he was able to declare that upon the year of his censure and departure from the church, God was done with the entire church, and from that time forward, God would only work in the “true believers” who were willing to take the stand with Camping and come out of the church. This is a severe warning of what can happen to those who reject the elders who rule with the authority of Christ. Over forty percent of the Alameda CRC, many of whom were employed by Family Radio, “went out” from the church and subsequently started their own “fellowship”. Consider what Camping’s real mathematical formula looks like:

144,000(Symbolic number of the complete church before May, 1988) - 1(Harold Camping exits sometime after May, 1988)

= 0(No more salvation in the church)

Does that calculation make sense? If it doesn’t, using Camping’s reasoning, you must be in spiritual darkness because only the “true believer” will have the discernment to know time and judgment.

As September 6, 1994 approached, the impact of Camping’s prediction was felt, astonishingly, worldwide. People sold their homes, gave their money to Family Radio, and gathered together as they waited for Christ to come that year. As the date passed, hopes were dashed and the next day Camping was unrepentant over the radio, stating that he had made an error in his calculations. Camping would soon recalculate stating that he missed one last outpouring of God’s mercy which he called the latter rain. His current views have been widely circulated in the pamphlet, “No Man Knows the Day or the Hour?” Camping writes,

We had learned that May 21, 1988 was the last day of the church age and was also the first day of the 23-year period of Great Tribulation, during which Satan has been employed to officially rule the whole world.During this first 2,300 days of his 8,400 day period the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from all churches as well as the entire world, insofar as salvation is concerned…This salvation is not occurring in any church but will continue outside of the churches to the end of the Great Tribulation, on May 21, 2011.[6]

In a scheme that rivals C.I. Scofield’s dispensationalism, Camping’s teachings are again inflicting fear and confusion upon many in the church. If anyone is to be saved, declares Camping, he must be saved “outside” the church since God has rejected anyone “identified with any church”.[7] What became of the ordinances of the church?Camping declared that since the church age ended and people were to leave the churches, the sacraments were also to be discontinued—an astonishing claim since the church is commanded to observe them until Christ comes (1 Cor. 11:26). Since Camping has of late rejected the doctrine of hell, anyone who does not repent by rejecting the church will simply be annihilated. The date Camping has set for the final judgment of the world is May 21, 2011.

In the next column, I will address the tragic consequences of Camping’s teaching. I will also address how Christians are to live in readiness for Christ’s second coming.

Chris, I have seen the signs on the Prime Meridian road in Lynden! One of the saddest parts of this cult is that they tend to prey on the weaker saints in the church. I have witnessed Reformed church members, struggling in their faith and in their lives as a whole, be ensnared in this kind of deceit and it is so tragic.

For many years in the late 1970s and up until 2010, I used to listen to Family Radio regularly. I enjoyed most of their programming, but did not enjoy Camping. When one of his tracts was read on our local station last year, in which he claimed special knowledge concerning the time of Christ's return (thus calling Christ as liar and tending toward a kind of Gnosticism), I stopped listening to Family Radio until he is off the station.

Hi Mark,Yes, I think there are at least two. One is a trailor, and the other a billboard. Harold's brother lived in Lynden, i know he has sold his business and has devoted his time to posting these signs. I have talked with others caught up in it.

locahist, i used to actually call into the Open Forum in the early 90s. Opps, did I confess that? I really liked hearing the Bible readings on Family Radio, it was a Vandyk, I think, who did them, no one had a better voice.

The Camping camp must have plastered the signs all up and down I-5 from Canada to Mexico, because they have them on the freeway when you come out of the San Diego airport as well. Thank you for this history lesson.

Reverend Gordon, thank you for a great post, and exposing a false teacher.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Christ addresses seven historic churches in Asia Minor. These seven churches represent the entire church during the church age, the time from the first advent to the Second Coming of Christ. There is no mention of Christ abandoning his church, unless congregations forfeit their first love and they fail to remain faithful to the truth, namely the gospel. In light of these warnings to the church, it is appropriate that men like Harold Camping be identified as false prophets. The church in Ephesus is commended for testing false prophets, and not tolerating wicked men. It is essential that we do the same. Thank you Rev. Gordon for assisting the church in this task.

Hi Rev. Stromberg,Thanks for the good comments. Camping's teaching destroys the doctrine of the perspecuity of Scripture. How could Christ reject the body he died for? Camping would have us to believe that Christ has rejected his body. Personally, I think this whole May 21 date is a way to get even with the church for censuring him.

It's very easy to attack someone and present partial information. If you're going to be impartial and discerning, you would not be so quick to present evidence that supports your case and ignore the evidence that Harold Camping presents. All the hate comes from those attacking Harold Camping. Camping over and over and over states his beliefs based on his understanding of the Bible. You have an opposite understanding or a different one. So, which is true? Nobody wins that argument. This argument has been going on before the bible was even written. What matters and what is intelligent, is to listen. Research. The reality is this - it's complicated, we as humans may not have the ability to comprehend the truth. The reality is we don't know. And since you don't know, then Harold Camping doesn't know. But, we all know this - it's going to happen between January 1st and December 31st. May 21st, 2011 is a valid date. because it's between January 1st and December 31st. He's worth listening to for purposes of consideration. To hate him for his beliefs is your hate, it's not his. He confidently believes in what He teaches upon His relationship with the bible and God. If we're going to be "real" -we do not know. If you're going to believe the bible, than you should be ready ANY and EVERY DAY for the end. Like most people, they react. There is nothing wrong if you believe this date. Regardless of the intricat calculations, they are calculations. It's a possibility. It's also possible he's incorrect. Does it matter. No. Why? Because He is not God and you can read the Bible yourself and disagree. It's not important. What's important is you be responsible for yourself and teach others to be responsible for themselves. What do I believe? I believe it's possbile he is correct and it's possible he is not correct. But, it doesn't matter because what does matter is me and my personal relationship to and with God. I seek. I've read all kinds of books from various religions and philosophies. The bible could be right, it could be Satan's greatest deception. It could also be the strict Word of God. How will I know. I won't ever know because it's all a matter of faith and individual. However, I will withhold judgement (and therefore attacks) and seek within the confines of my heart and soul where God is and try to understand. In the meantime, stop attacking another human being because you are doing that which you are accussing him of and therefore, you're the same. Love, peace and humility. Pray and read and listen. All things are possible - including May 21, 2011.

It's very easy to attack someone and present partial information. If you're going to be impartial and discerning, you would not be so quick to present evidence that supports your case and ignore the evidence that Harold Camping presents. All the hate comes from those attacking Harold Camping. Camping over and over and over states his beliefs based on his understanding of the Bible. You have an opposite understanding or a different one. So, which is true? Nobody wins that argument. This argument has been going on before the bible was even written. What matters and what is intelligent, is to listen. Research. The reality is this - it's complicated, we as humans may not have the ability to comprehend the truth. The reality is we don't know. And since you don't know, then Harold Camping doesn't know. But, we all know this - it's going to happen between January 1st and December 31st. May 21st, 2011 is a valid date. because it's between January 1st and December 31st. He's worth listening to for purposes of consideration. To hate him for his beliefs is your hate, it's not his. He confidently believes in what He teaches upon His relationship with the bible and God. If we're going to be "real" -we do not know. If you're going to believe the bible, than you should be ready ANY and EVERY DAY for the end. Like most people, they react. There is nothing wrong if you believe this date. Regardless of the intricat calculations, they are calculations. It's a possibility. It's also possible he's incorrect. Does it matter. No. Why? Because He is not God and you can read the Bible yourself and disagree. It's not important. What's important is you be responsible for yourself and teach others to be responsible for themselves. What do I believe? I believe it's possbile he is correct and it's possible he is not correct. But, it doesn't matter because what does matter is me and my personal relationship to and with God. I seek. I've read all kinds of books from various religions and philosophies. The bible could be right, it could be Satan's greatest deception. It could also be the strict Word of God. How will I know. I won't ever know because it's all a matter of faith and individual. However, I will withhold judgement (and therefore attacks) and seek within the confines of my heart and soul where God is and try to understand. In the meantime, stop attacking another human being because you are doing that which you are accussing him of and therefore, you're the same. Love, peace and humility. Pray and read and listen. All things are possible - including May 21, 2011.

Anonymous, your comments are so laughable and ridiculous, it's almost not worth commenting.

First off, if Harold Camping was living in the Old Testament, he would already be dead...death by stoning for all false prophets. You do realize that he already predicted September 6, 1994 as the day of Christ's return, don't you?

Secondly, what do you do with the "No one knows the day or the hour, not even the Son?" (Matthew 24:36) Do you just gloss over that verse in blind allegiance to Harold the Nutjob?

Plain and simple, he's a false teacher. And over and over, the Bible warns us against false teachers. The apostle Paul even mentioned SPECIFIC false teachers, so please don't tell us that we shouldn't "name names" or pick on certain individuals.

May the Lord grant you repentance from following this man who has led and is leading many astray.

Exposing the facts is hatred? No where does Rev Gordon express anything non-factual, does he? If so, expose the error and enlighten us all.

Take heart Rev Gordon, your master Jesus was once likewise persecuted by the pharisees to which he responded in John 8:46,47 "Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God."

It doesn't surprise me anymore the hatred of Harold Camping from self-proclaiming "Christians". I agree we're suppose to route out false doctrines and heresies, but you people delight in this. That being said, I believe in May 21st - not because of Camping, because of what the Bible says.

I'm well aware of Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, the argument is if we will never know the timing of Christ's return or will we simple not know until it is revealed (in light of Daniel 12:4 and Daniel 12:9). I believe, as others do, that Christ is revealing a lot of information in the Bible today (Revelation 5:1-9).

It is the nature of God to reveal the time of judgment in advance: Noah (Genesis 7:4), Lot (Genesis 19:22), Pharaoh (Exodus 9:5, 10:4), Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 11:4-5), and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4).

If you think Christ comes as a thief in the night, then you will be caught by surprise. However, the elect will not be caught by surprise:

1 Thessalonians 5:4-54 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Read Revelation 3:3 very carefully:

Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

The elect will watch. Therefore, Christ will not come as a thief and they will know what hour He comes upon us all.

Dear Anonymous, this is a very perplexing response. You say that we should root out errors and heresies, and then you support one??? Why do you believe in May 21? You have openly asserted that God is adding to his revelation contrary to his expressed will. This is a very serious error. This of how inconsistent this sounds, you write, "If you think Christ comes as a thief in the night, then you will be caught by surprise...however the elect will not" Huh? This is exactly what Camping has said verbatim over the Open Forun since 1994 when he missed it the first time? So why then does Camping presume to be elect when the fruits of his election are absent? Further, it's an astonishing claim when you compare Christ's words with yours. Christ said, speaking to his "elect" disciples, the son of man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." But you say your group does know the hour? You would never have come up with this on your own, but Harold Camping lured you in. Consider please my part II, I just posed it.

Let's get to the heart of the issue, as a Camping follower you have left the church, right? What do you think of his own church history? You haven't interacted with that? Doesn't it trouble you that the date Camping predicted the end of the church age corresponds to his own sinful departure from the church. Camping has directly disobeyed God in the things clearly revealed, and now condemns everyone else in the things not clearly revealed. Can't you see this. Don't you see the pattern? I take no delight in this, I did all this work for people like you who are caught in this delusion and others who are contemplating getting caught up in it. May God open your eyes to be discerning with his truth. Chris

Hey Chris I guess that i've never read anything biased as your article. reading this article one can easily see what was your motivations and what kind of charactor distructor you are. you didn't mention anywhere that all those who predicted the end in the past did not have any proof backed by the bible as we do now, it was just a game of dreams or visions they never showed any strong proof thats why they have always been wrong. Comping wrote a book 1994 with a big question mark. He asked if 1994 was the day and in the book 1994 he mentioned that 2011 is likely to be the day. being in the time when the truth was not yet be revealed as it is today, he could not know everything as we know today. what about your followes? they are so happy to have you tell them that they will be there on May 22,2011. let us all cry to God for mercy this day will be real bad time for many people. encourrage your audiance to pray and humble before God or fight with God not againest him. thanks and remember we don't have to ok this day before it happens. it will judge billions of people

"He sent redemption unto his people:he hath commanded his cpvenant for ever : holy and reverend is his name" Psalms 111:9 This verse can only refer to God himself. Reverend is his name.May I ask why you allow people to call you reverend and therefore making yourself equal to God?

" Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." james 4:11"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"1 john 4:20

Pro 16:19 "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."1Sa 2:2" There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God."Psa 99:3 "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy."Psa 99:5" Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy."Only God my savior deserves my reverence.

I think it is a big example of where typological, Augustinian hermeneutics can ultimately lead. Generally, dispensational authors are mocked for applying such a wooden literalism to biblical prophecy, but Camping is Covenantal and Amillennial. When you listen to the radio debate he had with James White, he argues in almost exactly the same way for his hermeneutical principles as many of my amill - postmill friends. Not recognizing this "blindspot" in one's hermeneutic overlooks a significant key to Camping's bizarre ideas.

does it really matter when Christ returns? All I am reading is attacks on each other. I am an admitted lost soul and dont know what to believe. I've had faith in the Lord before but am confused on what is true and what is storytelling between churches and science. Please dont rip me for admitting this. I'm trying to find my way to God. From an outsiders point, people like me struggle with faith because of bombardment of whats what... the Bible, the Mayans, Nostradomus, CNN, Google, conflicting religins that believe in the same God and savior.. everything. It's terrible. Look at the suffering in the world. It just increases and gets worse. So what if Camping is incorrect in his predictions? Yes, it's terrible if people are leaving the church and getting rid of their material items on earth, but if it's truly leading them to Christ, isn't that the point in the end? Do you not try to get more and more people to go to church and 'find' God no matter what the timeline is? People are going to believe what they want. I was raised to believe that if you didn't accept and follow the Lord, you would burn in hell forever. I went to a Baptist church as a child, went to a Penecostal church as a teen because my aunt and uncle went there and were very involved, and have been common law with my girlfriend/finacee/wife for over 14years that has a Catholic back ground and our children go to a Catholic school. So what is right and what is wrong about this. Where do I go? I drink beer, i like rock and roll, I am considerate, kind, loving, person that believes in the church but to what degree, I don't know. When will He return? Will He return? Will we burn in hell eternally if we dont follow Him? Is everything thats going on in the world a sign that it's going to end soon? Wars, earthquakes, flooding on all scales, the weather is messed up..... JUST HELP WHO YOU CAN, IF THEY BELIEVE IN SOMETHING BETTER, GREAT. THE SINNERS WILL BE CALLED OUT WHEN IT'S TIME ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. Pray for those of us that are lost and hopefully we will find the way and be true believers, not just trying to save our souls at the last minute. Be kind.

Dear Fred, Camping's scheme is much closer to Scofield's dispensationalism than anything else, in fact the similarities are astonishing. Great tribulation, rapture, end of chruch age, etc. There are absolutely no similarities to amillenialism.

Shaan Philips, when do you want me to reveal the true sad story of Camping's history, after May 21? These are facts. Maybe you forgot, but Camping already falsely predicted before. Doesn't that qualify him as a false prophet based? You need to look at the facts, you are following a man who has rejected Christ's spiritual authority. The date issue is bad, the attack on Christ's body, the church, is flat out heresy. If you have followed Camping in abandoning the body of Christ, you are living in rebellion and unrepentant sin. And if Christ chooses to return on May 21, 2011, praise the Lord, but it won't be because Camping was the only true wise one to figure it out. But what if he doesn't come on May 21, will you then confess that you are sinfully following a man and turn to Jesus Christ? I can already feel your disallusionment if this doesn't happen. Christ is merciful, Shaan, but you must follow him, not Camping. I care enough to say and do all this NOW, remember that.

Dear Anomymous (3/21 8:26 Am) Have you read my part II? I address the reasons why predictions are dangerous. I appreciate your willingness to comment, and I deeply lament the confusion in the church today, but this is the nature of spiritual warfare. Division is something Christ specifically said he would bring (See Luke 12:49ff), a consequence so long as light and darkness remain in conflict. As to your comment about Camping's prediction, the end never justifies the means, especially when we have explicit teaching from Christ that condemns what he is doing. I pray that the Lord would guide you in his truth, amidst a sea of false ideas. There is only one Door who is Jesus Chris--the only way, truth and life. His sheep will hear his voice, follow him, and go in and out and find pasture. You can be sure I have already prayed for you. Chris

Go and listen to James White's radio debate with Camping on the Iron Sharpens Iron program sometime in the last couple of years or so. James Swan contributes to the comments here, so he may be able to give you some direction in finding the exact dates.

Camping appeals to typological hermeneutics, NT is greater revelation than the OT, biblical prophecy is always spiritualized, and a number of other Augustinian Jedi mind tricks that he uses to draw his conclusions. It is the similar stuff I find promoted in the works of Kim Riddlebarger and a number of other Reformed folks who I happen to appreciate. Its the same approach the Biologos stealth atheists use to re-read Genesis.

Camping has also made it clear, if you search his radio transcripts, that he rejects any idea of a rapture as dispensationalism teaches, and links the last day, great tribulation, to the one time coming of Jesus as amillennialism teaches.

Unless he has changed his views the last couple of years, his general teaching on the subject hasn't changed from Reformed amillennialism.

Dear Fred,Dare I compile a list of how many dispensationalists have departed from the original view? It's a bit disingenuous to say that since someone's ideas went awry from the original view, the view itself is faulty. The notion that dispensationalists just read the Bible literally is an irresponsible claim, to say the least. Again, Camping's schema is much closer to the dispensational one now, than to anything that was once amillennial. The whole thing is premised on the idea of an end of the church age. Now which particular dispensation does that correlate to? You won't find that idea in amillennialism. As with Camping, no one would have ever come up with the dispensational schema had they not followed a personality, CI Scofield--another striking similarity here. Kim's books are quite helpful, but you will have to step away from certain presuppositions you approach the view with. Thanks for commenting. Chris

Fred Butler wrote: "Chris, we must be hearing two different Campings."

I think this is true and there's a reason for it. In my own assessment, Camping uses a mix 'n' match grab bag of hermeneutics. He uses a range from literal to hyper-allegorical, and still includes much orthodox teachings from his Reformed upbringing. He uses whatever style of hermeneutic necessary to serve his immediate purpose.

As an example, he is a staunch prohibitionist with regards to consumption of alcohol by the believer. His mix 'n' match hermeneutic is responsible. He takes the advice Lemuel's mother gives him in Prov 31:4, "It is not for kings to drink wine..." and suggests that in order to understand this passage, we have to find the "deeper, spiritual" meaning of the word "kings." Comparing scripture with scripture (of course!) Camping finds that the word "kings" in 1 Cor 4:8, "You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us" means "believers." The spiritual equivalent of "king" is "believer."

Camping then substitutes "believers" for "kings" in Prov 31:4 to get, "It is not for believers to drink wine." Thus is hard core stance. But what most of his followers fail to realize is that he never took the allegorical meaning of "wine," which Camping usually takes to mean the gospel. So with either a literal or allegorical meaning for two words, he has four possible outcomes for the meaning of Prov 31:4. He chooses the one most convenient to rail against having a beer now and then.

So, yes, there are multiple Campings. This is how he has such a prophet-like status among his followers, as he has demonstrated to them that he is the only one able to correctly interpret the bible in its truest sense.

With regards to eschatology, he used a base of Reformed amillennialism from which to build his skyscraper - yes, he has harshly criticized dispensationalists - but his hermeneutical gymnastics used to get all his other wacky ideas really has nothing to do with the foundation of traditional theology. He simply uses whatever is convenient at the time, and is the reason he keeps changing all his views and calculations.

WOW !! What an incredible set of debates - thanks Pastor - Here is my humble take- when ever you have those objecting to a line of reasoning or discourse by alluding to "attacks and hate ,or hatred " of the responders it must be apparent that these poor folks have imbibed the Koolade and are truly cultists and on the outside of orthodoxy - to be a Camping groupie and to twist and torture Scripture to produce the desired result is unworthy of one naming the name of the Lord Jesus- I pray for all of these followers of heresy - we dont hate we are bowed down with sorrow for the lost souls that have sold their souls for a mess of potage to follow a flawed man

Good stuff, Steve. I remember Camping's condemnation of alcohol based on that verse in Proverbs. Camping's allegorical intepretations leave no limitations to meaning. We should learn from Origen's errors for a reason. Thanks again.

We are all sinners We all come short of the glory that is God's.We are limited. God is Unlimited. Our good works are as filthy ragsLet us all strive to be patient and kind to each other so that we will not sound like clanging gongsPray for each other and try to keep your candle lit at all times.Let God be our leader. Lean not on your own understandings. Watch and wait. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Speaking honestly, I've never heard of Mr. Camping. Nonetheless, the charges against Mr. Gordon of "hate" towards Camping, and the impression that this is an kind of "attack campaign" ignores the jumping point of the writers argument: Mr. Camping is telling people that Christ is returning on May 21, 2011. Not only is he telling people this--with unconvincing scriptural support--but there are billboardss proclaiming this.It is the duty of the Christian to correct those in error and expose wrong-doing, false prophets, and evil that are a deception to the Church.This is not an attack on the part of Mr. Gordon--it is a defense.

Lg: not sure what your background is, but the term "Reverend" is a convention in many reformed churches for referring to a minister. It conveys respect for the OFFICE to which a minister is ordained, not for the person himself. Similar to how one would refer to a judge as "your honor." 2 Tim 4:2 "...preach the word..."--(check out the preceding verses of chap 3--very relevant) the word is holy and the office is God-ordained, preachers are also ministers of the flock following the Great Shepherd, representing His authority. And are we not all saints, sanctified by Christ? This is the great comfort of the gospel of which I certainly hope you can share. The REVEREND Gordon is not infallible but i am commanded to respect him insofar as he faithfully preaches the holy word of God just as I am commanded to respect the office of civic authorities. American Heritage Dictionary--reverence def. 2-- the act of showing respect, esp. an obeisance. Having met reverend Gordon personally i'm quite sure he would be the first one to affirm his weakness and fallibility as a human, please don't equate his following an established, legitimate convention as self-aggrandizement. That being said, i think we can respect reverend Gordon for not replying to these shenanigans and focusing on the topic at hand... you're a better man than I! greetings from the American Reformed Church in Lynden---Marc Davis

Camping is irrelevant to the issue, the real issue is what does the Bible say. The Bible has a lot of numbers, including the strange 153 fish reference (John 21.11). Why? God just filling up space? When Israel was recreated in 1948 does that not bare witness to the (Mark 13.28) scripture. For the church near the time of the end how about (1Peter 4.17). Now we have the Gay Pride Movement, which is exactly what we read would occur near the end in Romans 1.

Appreciate the comments, Chuck. It makes no sense to expose false teachings after the fact. I did this so that people would be informed of Camping's sad history. Christ meant it when he said that we know false teachers by their fruits. Thanks again, Chris

Dear Anon,So who determines what numbers mean? If Camping is irrelevant to the discussion (not understanding your point here) then just how should we interpret these numbers? Allegorically? In other words, explain the proper hermeneutic for us when we come to these "numbers".

When it comes to end times conversations I have one standard reply considering the obvious as well as the facts that scripture tells us that no one will know the day or the hour, and that every generation since the apostles have thought they were the last...

"every day you wake up, your one day closer to the end. So try and live better today than you did yesterday"

I find it laughable and insulting to all denominations of christianity. I myself as a baptized catholic wonder how this......human is permitted to try to instill fear among us faithful god fearing people, all the while saying we should listen to him and abandon our churches that we go to. It is really sad to think that he thinks he knows everything about the bible when he does not. He messed up before, and he'll mess up again.

Great post, first of all. In the interest of taking no man's words on faith, however, may I ask for a link to the bulletins of Alameda CRC from the dates mentioned? I have not been able to find them and would appreciate it. May the Lord, Author of our faith, Source of life and mercy, and the Way by which all things are created to flow, continue to bless your ministries and spiritual life. Praise be to Him!

Chris, doesn't God always love us? What I don't understand is why would he want to save a portion of people and kill everyone else? Harold Camping has frightened my children (Ages 5 and 8) with this new 2011 date and they cannot sleep at night nor work hard at school or any other activities.

It is disgusting, and it will happen without fail; on 22 May 2011 Harold Camping will come up with some crackpot excuse explaining why he was wrong, and there will people who will believe him and continue to follow him. Steve Griffith, Alexandria Va.

Thank you, Chris, for writing this. I have long been frustrated listening and hearing about first Sept, 1994, and now May 21 (I can't wait for May 22!!). I actually lived through the 1988 CRC split. It was horrible. The consistory men acted arrogantly and spitefully, and yet, Mr. Camping, for his part, was unyielding and not willing to submit to their authority. Bad form for all parties - totally lacking in grace, love, kindness and mercy, which, unfortunately, further skews perceptions and deepens wounds. Because of deep personal hurt, it's not hard to see how Mr. Camping could jump to the conclusion that God was no longer working in the church. It's been so sad to watch the progression off the course of truth. Please be praying for Mr. Camping and his followers! They will need God's grace, and the love and grace of His people more than ever.

Thank you for the insightful article. In the early nineties I was intrigued by Camping's claims regarding Christ's return. But more importantly, God used him mightily in my life to bring me into an understanding of Reformed theology. It was largely due to his influence that I joined (and have remained in) an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, being now a deacon there.

I have both a soft spot in my heart for Camping and also a great deal of anger toward him. Being so conflicted, I naturally try to follow what's going on with him.

I think you have nailed this down pretty tightly. It looks to me like there are some real ego issues here. Once the 1994 date didn't work out, I expected that to be the end of it. How little did I know how wrong I would be.

I hate to speculate on the fate of such a soul who has spent a good deal of his life doing what appears to me to be the Lord's work in advancing the gospel. Now, I don't know what to think, except that Christ has no good thing to say about false prophets.

By the way, in characterizing Camping's current views, would it be correct to say that he teaches May 21, 2011 as the rapture of the true believers and October 21, 2011 as the final judgement? I'm actually a little confused about his whole scheme regarding the two dates. If he decides to disappear on May 21, others might think they were left behind!

Poor Anonymous is all over the board, isn't he! One moment blasting everybody who doubts Camping as "haters", the next moment admitting he has no idea what's really real and arguing that Camping is irrelevant, the next moment announcing that Camping's got Anon's children quaking with fear in their beds. I don't say this sarcastically, Anon - get help!

The doctrine he preaches is not Biblical with regard to "free will." I used to listen to Open Forum back in the mid 90's, but Harold lost credibility with me. Mankind has the free will to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, or reject Him. I accepted Him and am therefore saved.

Wow, that's good stuff. I didn't know this particular history of Harold Camping. The May 1988 day always seemed strange to me. Now it makes sense. Thanks for this excellent post.

If anyone is interested in examining the Judgment day teachings of Harold Camping, please go to my site, www.judgmentdaytruth.com

I’m not as trained in the study of scripture as Pastor Chris is, but I’m doing what I can to counter these false teaching.

I’m genuinely concerned for the people that do believe this. On May 22 a lot of people are going to be devastated this didn’t happen. That is when, fellow Christians, we’ll need to setup and help restore the faith of those who were misled.

I was raised as a christian following the bible the word of god. This should only be said once to all who believe and all who are in the mist of back and forth between, NO ONE KNOWS WHEN JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN BUT HIS FATHER HIMSELF. GOD ONLY KNOWS NO ONE ELSE. In the bible it declares an anti Christ of a false profit who will falsely preach the word of god and to all my brothers and sisters when the antichrist is recognized, then and only then will the word of god start pouring out words of wisdom, encouragement and warnings why we ALL SHOULD BE SAVED. God bless you all and keep praying for God blesses us all who are patient.

Hey, TRUE believers in the May 21st Theory.. I am willing to receive any money, cars or property that you will get rid of prior to the Judgment day. Please feel free to contact me and send me everything. I will not collect until the 22nd I promise….. Think of it as your LAST big act of kindness to show your commitment to Judgment day....

Theonymic & Katie, thanks for the question. The events and corresponding dates of Camping's departure from the Alameda CRC are correct as bulletin dates and announcements were reviewed and interviews conducted specifically with those involved. It's difficult to cite bulletin references since there is no place of reference of web verfication to cite. But I assure you of their accuracy.

I cannot believe we have come down to arguing about whether April 1st 33 AD to April 1st 2011 is 722.451 or 722.500 days. Do you in any way think this is the will and the way of our creator? No where in the scriptures do we ever read about Christ chastising anyone about numbers and salvation. If you think this has any part of salvation then I feel very sorry for you. God reads our hearts, not our math ability. Another comment I want to add is...I may be wrong, but I would think if God was going to reveal to mankind in the last days a biblical number code and by multiplying numbers by other numbers and whaa la we learn when judgment day is, wouldn't he (God) put this information in the minds of a few different people from around the world all at the same time...so that it has validity? If several God fearing Christians had come up with this new information all at the same time from several different parts of the world wouldn't that seem more divine? Why just from one man who has made prediction errors in the past? And don't say 1994 was not an error but just a misunderstanding of what that date meant. If God's hand was in this date, there would not have been any wrong understanding of 1994. And why didn't God reveal this new information to Mr. Camping sooner? Like if the church age was over in 1988, why didn't Mr. Camping know this in 1988? I don't think he started to teach the church age being over until the 1990's.

Person with long screen nameCamping's math is the backbone of his prediction it's the sand that his formula is standing on. Camping's math should've either led him to May 20th or 22nd of this year but he has picked an impossible day for Christ's return. Other than that i agree with you on everything you said.

I plan to show up at WFME (FS outlet in Newark, NJ) at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 20, and ask the station manager to immediately turn over the deed for the property plus all the assets to me, so my church can use it after Camping et. al. "disappear" -- after all, they won't need it, right? Wonder what the reply will be LOL!!!

I don't work for Family Radio. However, I've been listening to FR since early 2007 based on a friend's recommendation. Glad I did, even though in late 2008 I heard Harold Camping speaking of May 21, 2011. It's been about 3 years since I heard the date on an Open Forum broadcast... but now we are upon it. Since I heard the prognostication back in 2008 I've been listening intently and doing my share of "study" in the bible so I could poke holes in Harold's conclusion. I see and read that there are some folks here, including the author, who misquote scripture. Matthew 24:36 does NOT include the words, "neither the Son" like I have read in many instances here. Wow... Please get your act(s) together if you are to present a case. Try Mark 13:32 if you plan to rant on by including "neither the Son" in your most popular response to Mr. Camping's findings. I find it very sad for those who constantly condemn Harold's 1994? prediction. Let me try to help - 1994???????? I am emphasizing the question mark because those that comment on his first prediction don't seem to understand the English language from the book's title or that in his book he said it COULD happen but it also COULD happen in 2011. Basically, he felt strongly enough to make people aware by writing the book but not strongly enough to bet the farm on it - he clarifies that many times on Open Forum even now (because so many callers try to use this against him). Prior to Mr. Camping, I was a believer in the "ready made" salvation plan that most churches teach today - each denomination putting their special "twist" on it, but for the most part, they say that "we" play a role in our own salvation... which, it clearly says in the bible, that we do not. Since Harold has taught (and shared through scripture) that it is only God who can save us - and his elect were chosen before the foundation of the world, I have come to take most everything he says seriously. That, and the realization that the only consuming fire is GOD and that "hell" is simply the grave... and, "when you're dead, you're dead", as Harold aptly puts it. I am quite thankful for Mr. Camping's spiritual insight. He truly has taught that one verse does NOT show the truth but comparison of verses is what and how the bible teaches that we read it - which includes both the old an new testaments (in their original Hebrew/Greek words).

Do I believe 100% in May 21, 2011? I know Harold believes 100% but I don't have his knowledge base to make that claim. Am I concerned and afraid? Yes. Will I kill myself if it doesn't happen or will my world come to an end anyway if it doesn't happen? No. God's Will will be done... and that's the only fact I need to know. Am I praying without ceasing for mercy on me and my loved ones? Absolutely! Thank you, Mr. Camping for leading me to a place where I believe that God has opened my spiritual eyes. God Bless everyone here and may He help to open your eyes more and more!

Chris, Thank you so much for this posting. As a Christian, I know this. We should stop trying to figure out when the Savior is coming back and just live like it will be tomorrow. I believe that no one will know when the Lord is coming back, and I also don't think that Heavenly Father wants us to know. It's like every other test he has given us. Just keep praying, living Christ-like, and loving the neighbor.

Matthew 24:36 does NOT include the words, 'neither the Son' like I have read in many instances here. Wow... Please get your act(s) together if you are to present a case.

Anonymous,

Before you go all wiseguy on us who disagree with Camping, please check other translations of the Bible. Camping is darn near close to a KJV Only advocate who believes that it is the only inspired English translation of the Scriptures.

Here:

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (NIV)

36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (ESV)

36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (NASB)

And many more. What? Did you think we pulled this out of thin air just for the heck of it to spite Harold Camping? Do a little research before spouting off.

Camping deliberately uses the KJV translation of Matthew 24 because it doesn't have the clause "nor the Son." This is the way he gets around the clear biblical teaching that no one can know when Christ will return. He uses the KJV to support his conceit by saying, "I know when Judgment Day is because the Bible (by which he means the KJV translation) doesn't teach that I can't know."

If it were just a matter of date-setting, well, that's all been done before to no avail by those who would despise the Word of God. But Camping has gone far beyond that in claiming that God has abandoned the Church, which is His elect, and that no salvation can be found anywhere except in Family Radio "fellowships." This deception, in my view, is much more serious and will bring the wrath of God upon all those who adhere to it for the damage done both to the body of Christ in general, to the weaker brethren in particular, and perhaps especially to the lost.

I don't understand why people continue to support Family Radio. They say, "Well, I like the music." So what? I may like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Does that mean I should send that heretical cult cash donations? Do I really need to spell it out?

Anonymous and others here that support Camping: your false prophet leader is leading you right over the edge of the cliff like so many lemmings.

Repent and turn to Christ and away from this false prophet and prophecy. You may yet find the grace from him for your salvation.

I have today written to Family Radio (familyradio@familyradio.org, info@familyradio.org) the following email (similar request sent to "eBible Fellowship") Let's see if they REALLY mean what they say -- I'll let you know the reply!!!

Family Stations, Hello,

This is a serious request for information from a Christian fellowship in North Jersey-- not a joke. I am writing to request the name of the person in your organization who is authorized to sign over the assets of WFME -- property, building, transmitter, website, etc. -- to my fellowship, effective end-of-day next Friday. Presumably nobody from Family Stations will be there to run the station, and this would seem to be excellent and proper stewardship of that with which God has richly blessed you.

I see that my comments about Matthew 24:36 as translated in other English versions which include the phrase "nor the Son" have been deleted, though they originally posted with your approval. Did you change your mind? Or is Blogger having problems?

Oh, o.k. Thanks. I pretty much stated it above, though this time without the edge of annoyance I had with Anon's ignorance the first time. ;-)

I'll restate, however, that it's curious that Camping will only use the KJV, which omits the phrase "nor the Son." I speculate that he must do that in order to perpetuate the idea that he (Camping) can know when Christ will return because Christ revealed it to Him.

I am very sad for those who have been following this lie that the rapture will occur on May 21st. Even if they attempt to explain away “that no one will know the day or the hour of Christ return”, they cannot explain away that many scholars believe that Christians must go through the Great Tribulation prior to the rapture. I pray that they will take a moment and read my book Final Warning because the hour of is His judgment has come. http://www.revelation-truth.org Posted by Rev. Daniel W. Blair

WHAT A FABULOUS CON ! He can reinvent destruction multiple times, collect millions and no one can touch him because people are free to be sheeple.... you know people who can't think for themselves, not quite people not quite sheep... you know like Obamatrons...

My guess is this dude is an atheist having the time of his life because so many people refuse to take out their Bibles and check for themselves... if they did they might find something like,,, no one knows the day or hour of His return except the Father.... you know troubling Bible text like that... But wait there is help on the horizon... due to terrible scams like this the obama regime is sure to come to the aid of helpless and stupid gullible people and begin government control of religion because we all know after all that people are stupid and government knows everything and will protect us from ourselves.... oh my....

OK! I have read enough about this May 21 2011. I dont know who is more dumb, a MAN who says he knows (to a date and hour) when the rapture will happen. Or the people that actually believe and follow this false prophet. He is full of sh*t because the BIBLE, did you hear that? THE BIBLE clearly states NO ONE knows, not even JESUS. Only the Father knows. SO, lets just say, for the sake of amuzement, say this Harold Camping is right. And? There is nothing we can do about it. Prepare? How does one prepare for the END? I dont think the survival kits are gonna work on something of this scale, we are talking multiple ELE's(Extinction Level Events) Did this Harold Camping give up all his wordly possession like the rest of his followers did to support this bs? HELL NO he didnt. He still owns 66 radio stations and all that, that comes with it. He nets over a million dollars in donations in a year. He is a false prophet and the BIBLE warns us of it. Read the book of Matthew 24:24-26 and Matthew 24:36. The Rapture will happen when THE FATHER deems its time. GOD the Creator isnt gonna be like "Hey!You know that old preacher with all those radio stations, you know, the one in California. No offense my son Jesus, no offense Angels, but Im gonna let THAT GUY know when Im gonna return to Judge all." WHY in the hell would he? You cant stop it. There is no prep work you can do for it. You can do 100 good deeds a day for the next week. But He comes back to Judge your LIFE. Not what you did because you were scared of his return in the last week of your life. This Harold Camping has scared the living sh*t out of people, and it ticks me off. Be strong and live each day like it was your last. Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see.

I would very much appreciate an update from the blogger here. Thank you and by the way, very interesting information about Camping's reasons for choosing those specific dates as related to his grumpiness over how he was treated by the Alameda church.

Hey............... Still Here..... What happen to all the bloggers??????? I see the comments just stopped.... Hasn't it changed to Oct 21st now? I guess ol' Harrold didn't get enough donations by May 21st.... I mean 38.4 million in donations is chump change to a man that knows more than Jesus Christ himself.... HOw much will he give back to the people that sold everything Houses, cars, quit jobs, sold all they own? Of coarse as far as I care they are the idiots. Act like an idiot and get treated like an idiot....... hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank you for publishing this eye-opening information on Mr. Camping. It truly is a "Public Service". Without objection, I would like to link my blod to yours for those seeking further info about this sad man who's caused so much reproach to fall upon the Church and Christ.

THE GORDIAN KNOT
n. 1. An exceedingly complicated problem or deadlock. 2. An intricate knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia and cut by Alexander the Great with his sword after hearing an oracle promise that whoever could undo it would be the next ruler of Asia.

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